Category Archives: Surprise Read

Sex is not ‘routine’ any more. There are sex shops decorating the high-street, free porn all over the internet and let’s not even get started on the new BDSM phenomenon. So when things get a little ‘stale’ in the bedroom, what would you do?

Carlie made a suggestion; a suggestion I wanted nothing to do with at first, but she was my wife and I’d have done anything to make her happy. I went along with her plan, even though I really didn’t want to.
It actually worked, for a while.
Until something changed.
Then I wasn’t doing it for her anymore.
Instead, it was all about secret liaisons, stolen moments and the thrill of getting caught.
My life changed overnight and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Lust is an unstoppable emotion when it takes hold.
Rules are broken.
Mistakes are made.
Lives are destroyed.
Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes, that wish can come true.

Zachary Black was her wish.
…Until he became mine.

“I felt like I’d fucked up a lot in my life, but nothing as monumental as this. Somehow, I’d figured it wasn’t quite as bad if Zach was the one making the first move, but the second, the third? That was all me. At any time I could have, and should have, told him to back off. Told him he was wasting his time because I was a happily married man. And therein lay the issue. Because I wasn’t a happily married man. I was fucking miserable. My wife didn’t really like me, no matter what she claimed. I spent more time at work than at home. I was learning new things about myself that I wasn’t sure I liked, and more than anything, I was falling in love with a man faster than I could think to stop it.”

Wow I have to say, I had a lot of preconceived notions about this book before reading it and let it sit on my kindle since it first came out. After finally biting the bullet and reading it I have to say I really enjoyed it, far more than I imagined I would. I’m excited for book two and to see more of Blake and Zach.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Possible Spoilers🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I wasn’t sure I’d like Blake, the authors note in the beginning coupled with the fact that I detest cheating made me apprehensive when it came to his character. However I really like Blake and truthfully I felt a bit sorry for him. He had a very selfish and manipulative wife and he truly deserved better. He made mistakes for sure but I could see he wasn’t a bad person, a malicious person out for only his own happiness.

Zach was a little harder to like for me honestly. I felt he was a bit of a manipulator at first as well and I had to question his motives on more than one occasion. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where I changed my mind about him but I did start to like him and by the end I felt he could be good for Blake.

Carlie, I can’t stand her and while I hate to rub salt into people’s wounds I must say she deserved what happened to her marriage. She may have once been a good person but we didn’t really get to see it and her personality didn’t seem to go with how Blake was portrayed. Again it must be said she was manipulative, self centered, immature and moody.

As for the story, the cheating/affair, it didn’t resonate that way with me. Firstly so much of this story is about Blake and Carlie and how over the years their marriage began to disintegrate. How they began to want different things and how communication and the time they spent together drastically changed. His job got in the way, her need to show the world her perfect life became her main focus. Then we are introduced to the other man, a man she brought into the mix after manipulating and emotionally blackmailing Blake.

We see Blake questioning new feelings this man stirs in him and how it effects him, what it means to his marriage. The actual cheating is so small compared to the story as a whole that it’s almost not important in the grand scheme of everything that happens. To me at least it’s more about the end of a marriage, discovering who you truly are and what you want and need in life and having the courage to move on and not settle for something just because it’s easier.

Blurb: When Theodore Davenport decides to switch his mundane job for a career, he walks into Holden House Publishing with enthusiasm and determination to succeed. As he settles into his new role, makes new friends, and dreams of making it to the top, everything is going to plan.

Until he meets James Holden, CEO of Holden House.

James Holden hasn’t been able to stop thinking about his encounter with the timid man he met in a club bathroom last week, and when he discovers the one haunting his dreams is an employee, he can’t seem to stop himself from pursuing him.

Just a little fun – that’s what James tells himself. He can’t afford to care for someone who can never reciprocate, not once they find out who he really is. James believes nobody deserves the burden of being attached to him. He’s a complicated man. Damaged. Difficult. Demanding.

Broken.

Is Theodore strong enough to confront James’ demons? More importantly, is James?

(M/M romance. Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age due to language and sexual content. ***Please note*** This book contains scenes of self harm, mental illness and suicidal ideation which may be uncomfortable for some readers.) (less)

Heart wrenching, beautiful read!

The cover captured my attention and I was unable to look away.
The prologue pulled me in and I had to take a breath before I delved into the story. I loved it. The story, the characters, the way the author approached James illness not only in his eyes but from Theo’s pov as well.

James is a complex character, one of those people who you’re not sure whether or not you’re going to like but very quickly you realize there is so much more to him than you’re first able to see. To me these are the best characters. They are flawed, broken but not the cliche “bad boy” character that has been written over and over again. He’s real.

Theo is great as well. I loved his voice, he wasn’t perfect. Again, very realistic. I felt for him and what he was going through as well.

It was beautiful, captivating, sad and sometimes funny. It made me laugh and cry and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone who is willing to pick it up and give it a chance.

This book wasn’t the first from this author that I have read but it is definitely, in my opinion, the best.

Blurb: Ninety- two days. Thirteen weeks. That’s how long it’s been since I lost my love, my best friend. It’s been everything I can do to drag myself out of bed and get back to work, but I know Cooper would want me to move on. I think he’d even be happy if he knew who I want to move on with. The target of my affection, though, may not be so thrilled about my choice.
He’s straight. Or he thinks he is.
A womanizer of the worst kind with a face and body that keeps a steady stream of willing women at his door, he seems happy to work his way through the entire female population. But there’s no mistaking the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention.
One way or another, I’ll show him what he really wants.

This is book four of The Striking Back Series, but can also be read as a standalone novel.

Blurb: Chelsea’s hottie Blake Morgan III has reemerged from a nasty breakup. His marriage was a frigid disaster beyond repair, and he vows to be single—forever. Bruised, but still hot in Prada, he creates his Seven Desires wish list, his sexiest imaginings. Blake soon realizes there’s only one man he may trust to make these uninhibited intentions come to fruition: his best friend Miguel Santana.

Lower East Side multimedia artist extraordinaire Miguel Santana may be known as the cocky Latin stud in the city, but all he’s wanted since college was Blake’s hand in marriage. He was livid when Blake walked down the aisle with the wrong guy. Miguel has his own list titled the Seven Needs, which are quite contrary to Blake’s dirty-boy deeds. They involve serious commitments, which may leave his new-to-the-singles-scene buddy sprinting for the door, destroying any hopes Miguel has for happiness.

Can these two hunks conquer their intimate fears and love one another as only best friends can? Join the star-studded cast in The Manhattanites series and see for yourself!

Reading the previous books in this series is suggested. Reader might have difficulty following the story if approached as a standalone.(less)

Couldn’t finish this one. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and don’t even get me started on the fact that there were way too many characters to keep track of. I am not a fan of more than two or three POV’s in one book, it’s too hard to keep track to who said what.

Blurb: “I feel like I’ve been wearing blinders for my entire life and now they’ve been ripped off and everything’s too bright – too harsh. Part of me wants them back so I only have to see what’s right in front of me.” –Logan

After Logan Bradshaw’s dreams go up in smoke, he’s left broken and haunted by a cruel betrayal from his former business partner, a man he once thought of as a friend. His life as a professional escort helped pay for his future once, so maybe a few more jobs can give him back what he’s lost. And if that means being a third for one night for a wealthy couple living out a ménage fantasy, then so be it. It might just be the final payout he needs to get his life back on track.

Dominic Barretti has everything money can buy, but it can’t save his beautiful young wife as cancer steals her away from him. He also can’t deny her one last request – a ménage encounter with another man. It’s the perfect excuse to meet the man who’s been haunting his dreams. On paper, Logan is the perfect choice to give his wife what she needs, but he doesn’t expect his own fierce desires to flare up when the young man enters their lives.

Dom and Logan don’t know it, but Sylvie Barretti has decided to play matchmaker from beyond the grave. Unfortunately, getting two broken men to find each other makes dying seem like the easy part.

Logan can’t deny his attraction to Dom, but the surprise desire for another man has left him reeling and questioning everything he’s ever known about himself. But when a threat from the past surfaces, will Logan be able to let go of the life he knew and embrace the one he needs?

***This is Book 3 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story – no cliffhangers. However, more enjoyment can be gained by reading the series in order:

Blurb: When a professional relationship turns personal, it’s impossible to resist the law of attraction.

Alec Rowland is a high-flying lawyer in a London firm whose career is his life. He doesn’t have time for relationships and his sexuality is a closely guarded secret. After picking up a cute guy on a Friday night, Alec’s world is rocked to its foundations when his one night stand shows up in the office on Monday morning—as the new temp on his team.

Ed Piper is desperate to prove himself in his new job. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by a crush on his boss. It’s hard to ignore the attraction he feels, even though Alec’s a difficult bastard to work for.

Both men strive to maintain a professional relationship, but tempers fray, passions ignite, and soon they’re both falling hard and fast. If they’re ever going to find a way to be together, Alec needs to be honest about who he really is because Ed won’t go back in the closet for anyone.

Length: 62,000 words approx

Over too soon!

I really enjoyed The Law of Attraction however I really wished it were a bit longer or had an Epilogue. Their was definitely potential for a second story if this were to become a series and I would be one of the first to read it.

With the looming threat from the Mancuso Crime Family, the Forsaken Motorcycle Club is preparing for a war that could destroy them. Grady, the club’s Sergeant-at-Arms, knows that love makes you weak, and he has zero interest in adding to his liabilities– especially now. He’s already got his teenage daughter who keeps him on his toes and a beef within the club that could fracture his relationship with a fellow brother for good.

For Holly Mercer, her life is finally getting on track and the last thing she wants is trouble from her hometown’s resident outlaws. Keeping her nose clean is easier said than done, when suddenly she finds herself embroiled in club business. Holly might like the idea of being with a real-life bad boy, but even being in the same room with tough-as-nails Grady flusters her.

When Holly inadvertently finds herself on Mancuso’s radar, she has two choices: trust that Grady will protect her, or continue to refuse the club’s help. Both roads are dangerous, but only one has the chance to damage her beyond repair.

Love is never more dangerous than when it can destroy you.

Mature Content Warning: The Bayonet Scars novels are a dark romance series which features graphic sexual content, violence, and foul language that is intended for a mature audience. Each novel features a different couple, though it’s not recommended that they be read out of order due to the series story arc.

Okay so first I have to admit, I am not sure what made me read this particular book. I’m not sure if it was because I wanted to give this series one more try or if it was because I was so desperate for a Motorcycle Club Romance novel and I am running out of new ones. The first book Ride, the story of Alex and Ryan was definitely not a favorite of mine. I absolutely hated Ryan and almost didn’t finish the story because I just could not see what Alex saw in him. The second book Thrash I did not finish. I could not find a reason to like either main character. It also solidified my hatred for Ryan.

I picked up Rev with apprehension but after reading the first few chapters realized I was actually enjoying it. Thank God! Rev redeemed this series in my eyes, I actually am looking forward to seeing what comes next. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Grady but was pleasantly surprised. He was coarse, vulgar and insensitive but after a while he grew on me. He was also funny, loyal and determined. I could actually see why a woman like Holly would want to be with him.

As for Holly, I liked her. I thought she was smart, tough and had me laughing out loud throughout the story. She did not put up with Grady’s BS and gave as good as she got. Unlike a lot of female characters in these type of books Holly was not completely naive when it came to the MC and seemed to take the rules of the lifestyle in stride.

I felt the connection between Grady and Holly and enjoyed their story. If the rest of the books in this series are more like this one I will definitely read them. I would love to read more about Grady and Holly, Chey and Jeremy and Ian. I only hope that in future books Ryan either has a very small part or finally redeems himself in some way.

I am not a huge fan of BDSM but I have to admit I thought this one was (I can’t believe I am going to use this word to describe it) cute.

Bret is 20 and new to the whole D/s lifestyle. He knows he is a sub although he is not your typical sub and knows he will never be. All he wants is to belong to Dom Marcus and so he pursues him to the point of stalking him at the club.

Marcus can’t seem to get rid of the boy who insists on following him everywhere at the club. He and his friends have begun to see the kid is not only a stalker but a bit of a brat. After a while Marcus can’t take it any more and realizes avoiding the boy is no longer working so he decides that he will do a scene with him and hopefully then this infatuation will end.

After Marcus begins to know Bret he realizes that Bret is definitely not your typical sub, he’s mouthy and questions everything yet he is eager to please Marcus and extremely enthusiastic. Marcus begins to like this about Bret and that makes him want to continue seeing him. The only problem is that Bret has made it clear that he wants even more from Marcus and Marcus doesn’t know if he is ready for that.

Bret made me laugh through quite a bit of this book which is really what had me determined to finish the story. I loved the fact that while he so willingly submitted to Marcus he never allowed himself to do anything he didn’t truly enjoy or be anything other than what he was. He always had some funny observation or retort and he was extremely honest which made him very endearing.

Marcus was different as well in the fact that he truly appreciated Bret, even when others thought that Bret was being a Brat or not behaving in his role perfectly, Marcus liked that Bret was real.

This quick and funny read is great for when you want a light yet still kinky read. This was my first Kim Dare book but I definitely will check out some of her other stories in the near future.

Jessica Sorensen is definitely a writer with the ability to completely draw her audience into a story. I was having a hard time reading this book the first time I picked it up, I couldn’t seem to get through the first chapter. Honestly now I have no idea why I was having such a problem because as I sat down today with my Kindle I found myself unable to pull away for Micha and Ella.

“He knows what I’m about to say—he always does. He is my best friend, my soul mate. In a perfect world, full of roses and sunshine we’d be together, but this world is full of broken homes, drunken fathers, and mothers who give up easily.”

The Secret of Ella & Micha by Jessica Sorensen

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it’s summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes. (From Goodreads)

Beautiful and Emotional Read!

5 out of 5 Stars!

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorenson

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

This one kept me up all night until 6 am because I could not put it down for anything. Even as my husband begged me to just go to sleep I couldn’t do it. I cried and I laughed, basically I loved this book.

Ms. Sorensen did a perfect job of making me connect with these characters and truth be told to fall in love with Kayden. I truly loved his character and rooted for him from the first moment he spoke.